Macc seal win as Parfett stars
ON a cloudy day in Urmston, the hosts won the toss and elected to bowl first – and this decision seemed to be justified early on when Oliver Marsden was caught behind off the bowling of Espley for four.
Nick Bertus, sponsored by Chrome Motors, came to the crease and stabilised Macc’s start with Ben Marsden.
The pair took the score on to 41-2 when Marsden (19) was adjudged LBW playing a sweep shot.
Porter batted patiently with Bertus, before he was caught at mid off trying to up the tempo in Macc’s innings, Matt Parkinson claiming the wicket.
This brought Tom Parfett to the middle who batted superbly with the Australian, Bertus.
The pair increased Macc’s run rate through some proper cricket shots. They played the spin of the Parkinson brothers (Lancashire 2nd team representatives) with confidence and showed real responsibility with the bat.
Bertus and Parfett added 104 runs, and having come together at 54-3, this was a crucial partnership in the game. It sadly ended when Bertus held out at long on. He departed for a magnificent 85, leaving the score on 158-4.
Parfett continued to bat majestically and passed his 50. With the support of Barron (19), Macc brought up the 200 in the latter stages as the pair added 50 more runs to the total.
Parfett eventually was caught for a terrific 66.
In the last couple of overs Craig Melrose (21 not out off 9 balls) hit a couple of powerful fours and two towering sixes that wouldn’t have looked out of place at Macclesfield CC’s annual bonfire and fireworks event.
This was the kind of crescendo Macc were looking for to finish their innings on. The visitors ended on 232-8 off their 55 overs.
Macc took this momentum into the field. Melrose struck with two early wickets aided by catches from Porter and a stun- ning one-handed diving catch by Parfett at gully to remove Matt Parkinson.
Oliver Marsden joined in the wicket-taking, bowling two of Urmston’s middle order with full, fast deliveries.
And moments later Melrose took another brace with catches in the gully region, leaving Urmston on 39-6.
The hosts showed some resistance through Callum Parkinson who hit some nice shots for his 26 runs, but when Marsden had him caught from another good catch by Parfett at gully it was just matter of time before Macc sealed the win.
Harlan Greig claimed the last two wickets, as due to an injury, Macc only had to take nine wickets – meaning the visitors claimed a crucial 25 points as they bowled Urmston (who are all but relegated now) out for 75 in 21.2 overs.
Melrose finished with fabulous figures of 4-19, Marsden with 3-43 and Greig 2-12. Macc remain in the bottom two, however, as teams around them won.
This week they play host to Neston in another must-win game.
Parfett took a stunning, one-handed diving catch